"I Can Hear Music" is a song written by Jeff Barry, Ellie Greenwich and Phil Spector for American girl group the Ronettes (credited as The Ronettes Featuring Veronica) in 1966. This version spent one week on the Billboard Pop chart at number 100. In early 1969, the Beach Boys released a cover version as a single from their album 20/20 (1969), peaking at number 24 in the US.
Cash Box said that "Ronnie sings a strong lead throughout the teen-oriented, emotion filled tune which is effectively backed by throbbing sounds." Record World described it as a "slow but torrid goodie."
The Beach Boys version
"I Can Hear Music" was covered by the American rock band the Beach Boys, released on their 1969 album 20/20 with Carl Wilson on lead vocals. This version peaked at No. 24 on the US Billboard Hot 100 (their final top 40 hit until 1976). The song did best in Europe, reaching number 10 in the United Kingdom.
Within the US and Canada, it peaked on playlists in the top 5 in Boston, Houston and Dallas; No. 7 in New York and Chicago (WCFL); No. 8 in Toronto and San Diego, No. 9 in Seattle; No. 10 in Vancouver and Indianapolis; No. 11 in Los Angeles, Louisville, Providence, and Chicago (WLS); No. 12 in Milwaukee and Columbus.Arsa Surveys, las-solanas.com
Personnel Credits from Craig Slowinski, and 20/20 liner notes.
The Beach Boys Al Jardine – backing vocals, guitar, handclaps Mike Love – backing vocals, handclaps Carl Wilson – lead vocals, guitar, handclaps, producer, tambourine? Dennis Wilson — drums, piano, handclaps Bruce Johnston – backing vocals, bass, Fender Rhodes electric piano, handclaps
Additional personnel Steve Desper – engineer Mike Kowalski – snare drum, sleigh bells
Chart history Chart (1969)PeakpositionAustralia (Go-Set)13Canada RPM Top Singles34Chile12Germany13Malaysia6Netherlands6New Zealand (Listener)11Poland7Sweden5UK Singles (OCC)10U.S. Billboard Hot 100Joel Whitburn's Top Pop Singles 1955–1990 – 24U.S. Cash Box Top 10020U.S. Record World20
Larry Lurex version
In 1973, Larry Lurex, the solo stage name of Freddie Mercury, recorded "I Can Hear Music" on the EMI label. His version peaked at #115 on the U.S. Billboard Bubbling Under the Hot 100 chart.Joel Whitburn's Bubbling Under the Billboard Hot 100 1959–2004
Kathy Troccoli version In 1996, the Beach Boys rerecorded the song, with contemporary Christian singer Kathy Troccoli on lead vocals, for their country album Stars and Stripes Vol. 1.
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